Translators

Translator #1: Joe

• What people see– One-sided, not

interactive– Advertising, not

attracting• This approach is

probably not effective

Translator #2: Paula• Search for

Portuguese translator in Facebook…

• #1 Result:http://www.facebook.com/EnglishtoEuropeanPortugueseTranslator

• What people see– Fun, interactive

page– Attracts, not

advertises• This approach is

clearly effective

Translator #2: Paula

The Goal of Social Media

• The goal of social media isn’t to advertise…– It’s to attract more

eyes!• Use social media to

connect, not sell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulwan8/

Key Concept: Provide Value

• Conversation is the currency of social media– Comments– “Likes”

• Other ways to provide value:– Entertainment– Free reports– Your expert opinion

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katrina-nicole/

http://www.sarahdillon.com/blog

“I've gotten plenty of new translation clients through my activities on Twitter, LinkedIn but especially through my blog.” “I don't use social

media as a direct sales tool for my translation business. They're just a part of the bigger picture. My main aim is to channel traffic back to my blog (where there are 2 clear calls to action: subscribe or hire me).”

Sarah Dillonhttp://www.dillonslattery.com/

http://www.dillonslattery.com/2009/07/social-media-for-translators-prez.html

Website/blog actions

• Think of your website as your “hub”– This is where you

should drive your traffic

– Have strong calls to action and make them easy to find

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geuqYUVerQ0

YouTube actions

• Start filming videos– Create value– Be fun– Be entertaining

• Don’t be annoying

SEO for YouTube Channels

Facebook Actions

• Create a Facebook page for your business– http://

www.facebook.com/pages/create.php

• Build a fan base for your page

• Post regularly to your page and engage with your fans

Facebook Page Tips

• Give people a reason to like your page– Free coupon, voucher,

report • Regularly post relevant

content• Ask questions/survey• Include photos in your

posts• Celebrate milestones• Run a contest

SEO for Facebook Pages

@sarahdillon• Tweets and

Retweets• Which hash tags

is she using?– #translation, #

iticonf, #German

• Which hashtags are appropriate for your niche?

Twitter Actions

• Create a Twitter account

• Find and follow friends, colleagues and leaders in your business niche

• Engage in conversations• Use hashtags to include

your tweets in popular conversations

SEO for Twitter Profiles

LinkedIn Pages

• You can have a personal LinkedIn page and a company LinkedIn page

• People searching for translators using a business search will find company pages only

LinkedIn Groups for Translators

Sneaky LinkedIn Targeting Trick

• Connect with anyone on LinkedIn directly

• Find your target prospect through LinkedIn search

• See which groups they belong to

• Join their groups and then you can make a direct connection

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreapacelli/

LinkedIn Actions

• Create a business LinkedIn account

• Join LinkedIn groups in your niche

• Participate in the discussions

• Answer LinkedIn Questions• Use groups as a backdoor

to connect with your target prospects

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniorvelo/

SEO for LinkedIn Profiles

SEO for Google+

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/

Integrate Everything

Posterous

• Create a Posterous account and get a free blog

• Configure it to update:– Facebook– LinkedIn– Twitter– Your hub blog– And more

• Just send an e-mail to post@posterous.com

Also Consider dlvr.it

• A more blog-centric system of content distribution• Shortly after you post to your blog, dlvr.it posts to your

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other accounts

What’s the secret to creating lots of relevant content worth sharing?

ContentCuration

Where to source content to curate

Final Tips

• Build gradually• Don’t sell—connect!• Make yourself easy to

connect with• Establish yourself as an

expert• Provide value• Be creative, interesting,

entertaining, fun

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholas_t/

• Research your competition• What are they doing with

social media?• What can you model from

them?

• Study what Sarah Dillon does with:• Her blog• Twitter• Facebook• LinkedIn

• Get started with your own social media game plan

Homework

http://www.flickr.com/photos/meaganjean/

Questions?Connect with me!

E-mail: marc@marcmenninger.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcmenningerLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmenninger